Rivers and Lakes

Protecting Water for People and Nature

We know we need clean drinking water in order to live. But rivers and lakes – freshwater ecosystems – provide much more. They water our crops, give us fish to eat, light our homes and bring us joy. 

Yet around the world we are crippling the ability of rivers and lakes to support people, plants and animals. Scientists predict that by 2025 more than two-thirds of the world’s population could face water shortages. 

We can change course. We can balance across our many needs better and preserve nature’s ability to provide for future generations, too. We have new knowledge, new tools and a growing community of people committed to saving our water.

Thanks to our supporters, we work on-the-ground with people in 30 countries to secure the rivers and lakes that support our lives. We use science and strong partnerships to make big things happen.

 

Elder Creek 125x83Elder Creek flows into South Fork of Eel Creek in Angelo Coast Range Reserve. The Angelo Reserve is one of the largest intact old-growth douglas fir forests in the world and provides habitat for spotted owls, gray foxes and black bears. This is the first property the Conservancy acquired in California in 1959. © Ian Shive

Global Freshwater Program

Working to improve dams for people and nature.

Freshly harvest bananas 125x83A large sack of freshly harvest bananas being carried in La Amistad International Park, Costa Rica. Tucked away in the southeastern corner of Costa Rica, the fogshrouded cloud forests and cascading rivers of La Amistad International Park remain one of the largest, least-disturbed areas in Central America. The Nature Conservancy has helped 17 community groups in La Amistad come together as a network known as Red Indígena de Turismo. Through the network, members receive training and resources to develop environmentally friendly economic activities like ecotourism as well as sustainable agricultural practices. © Ami Vitale

Great Rivers Partnership

Flagship effort to conserve the Mississippi and other great rivers.

Twelve Mile Arm Estuary 125x83Twelve Mile Arm Estuary near the town of Hollis on the east coast of Prince of Whales Island in southeast Alaska. The Nature Conservancy is very involved with stream restoration and sustainable forestry projects on Prince of Wales Island. Prince of Wales, the third largest island in the U.S., boasts more productive forest lands, more rare, large-tree forests, and more salmon steams than any of southeast Alaska’s 22 biological provinces. © Bridget Besaw

Sustainable Rivers Project

Working with the Army Corps of Engineers to find sustainable solutions to river health.

Learn More About How We Work


Read More

Tout: DRTV Promo with Sanjayan for Read More section 78x52Join the Fight to Save Nature.

Join the Fight to Save Nature

We need to act now, before it's too late. Watch the Video, Take Action

Top Stories: San Pedro de Valdes Reserve, Argentina 78x52San Pedro de Valdés Reserve, Argentina. © Bridget Besaw

Greening Latin America

We're addressing Latin America's most pressing conservation issues. Read the Story

Donate to Rivers and Lakes

rivers-lakes-cta Elakala Falls, Blackwater State Park of West Virginia. © Troy and Rusty Lilly
When you donate today, you’ll help The Nature Conservancy protect our most precious resource - clean water.

Donate Now

Explore Related Content

Why Rivers Flood — and How to Reduce Risk

Our scientists provides the fundamentals on flood science. Learn more

Where Does Your Water Come From?

About half of Americans receive drinking water from lakes and rivers. Explore